Use of ADCC-optimized antibodies for treating weak patients

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns the use of human or humanized chimeric monoclonal antibodies which are produced in selected cell lines, said antibodies bringing about a high ADCC activity as well as a high secretion of cytokines and interleukins, for treating underpopulations of so-called weak-response patients exhibiting CD16 FCGR3A-158F homozygote or FCGR3A-158V/F heterozygote polymorphism.

This invention relates to the use of humanised or human chimericmonoclonal antibodies with a specific glycosylation having a stronginteraction for the CD 16 receptor (FcgammaRIII) of the effector cellsof the immune system as well as the property of inducing cytokine andinterleukin secretion, for treating populations of patients respondingpoorly to existing treatments and having a particular polymorphism oftheir CD16.

Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies is becoming one of the mostimportant and innovative strategies in medicine. However, the resultsobtained in clinical trials appear to be mixed. Indeed, in a number oftreatments, the monoclonal antibody does not appear to be active and/oreffective enough. Numerous clinical trials have been stopped due to alack of efficacy and adverse effects incompatible with use as a clinicaltreatment. These two aspects are closely related, given that relativelyinactive and/or ineffective antibodies are administered at high doses tocompensate for the lack of efficacy and obtain a therapeutic response.The administration of high doses then causes adverse effects. Inaddition, it is economically unviable.

These are major problems in the industry of monoclonal antibodies, inparticular humanised or human chimeric antibodies. However, theseproblems are exacerbated for particular populations of patients in whomthe therapeutic effect of the antibodies is significantly lower bycomparison to the average in the population treated. These patients arecommonly called “low-responder patients”.

It is known that cell cytotoxicity mediated by antibodies requiresbinding of the Fab portion of the antibodies to their target as well asan engagement of their Fc domain with the Fc receptors of the effectorcells (RFc). On the NK cells, the receptor responsible for thiscytotoxicity is CD16.

On the basis this knowledge, studies have been conducted in order toestablish a correlation between subpopulations of patients who arerefractory (so-called “low-responder” patients) to treatment with anantibody specific to a condition to be treated, and CD16 polymorphism.

In a study of 2000 (Cartron G, Dacheux L, Salles G, Solal-Celigny P,Bardos P, Colombat P, Watier H, Therapeutic activity of humanizedanti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and polymorphism in IgG Fc receptorFcgammaRIIIa gene, Blood. 2002 Feb. 1; 99(3): 754-8), the composition ofthe population of patients treated with Rituxan® was analysed accordingto the CD16 polymorphism in position 158. It was composed of 20%FCGR3A-158V homozygotes (patients homozygous for valine in position 158of CD16), 35% FCGR3A-158F homozygotes (patients homozygous forphenylalanine in position 158 of CD16) and 45% FCGR3A-158V/Fheterozygotes (patients heterozygous for valine/phenylalanine inposition 158 of CD16). The ADCC activity as well as the clinicalefficacy of the anti-CD20 Rituxan® antibodies are correlated with theCD16 polymorphism: the FCGR3A-158F homozygous or FCGR3A-158V/Fheterozygous patients are less responsive to the Rituxan® treatment thanFCGR3A-158V homozygous patients.

Thus, this study made it possible to demonstrate that the differences inresponse to treatments with therapeutic antibodies are associated with aCD16 polymorphism.

However, this study does not propose a solution for reducing the effectof this polymorphism in so-called “low-responder” patients treated withtherapeutic antibodies. It does not provide a therapeutic treatmentsuitable for the treatment of low-responder patients.

In addition, other results have been obtained from clinical studiesperformed with anti-Rhesus antibodies, which have shown that theelimination of Rhesus positive erythrocytes by IgG3 anti-D was faster inFCGR3A-158F homozygous patients (Kumpel B M, De Haas M, Koene H R, VanDe Winkel J G, Goodrick M J. Clearance of red cells by monoclonal IgG3anti-D in vivo is affected by the VF polymorphism of Fcgamma RIIIa(CD16). Clin Exp Immunol. 2003 April; 132(1): 81-6). However, the lownumber of patients studied does not enable a technical result to bedrawn from this study.

The objective of the present invention is to provide antibodieseffective for treating patients in whom treatments with the'antibodiescurrently available fail, or suffering from adverse effects.

The applicant has found that antibodies in which the Fc domain has aparticular glycan structure with a cytotoxic activity particularlysuitable for the treatment of so-called “low-responder” patients, whichis not affected by the FCGR3A-158F homozygous or FCGR3A-158V/Fpolymorphism of amino acid 158 of CD16, unlike the antibodies producedin CHO of which the cytotoxic activity is affected by this polymorphism.In addition, the applicant has found that the antibodies according tothe invention cause cytokine/chemokine production, which alsocontributes to the reinforcement of the therapeutic effect bystimulating effector mechanisms of the immune system in the patientstreated.

The invention therefore proposes the use of antibodies according to theinvention in the treatment of sub-populations of so-called“low-responder” patients. These antibodies have an ADCC activity and acytokine and/or chemokine production up to 100 times greater than theantibodies available in current treatments.

Thus, the invention relates to the use of an optimised humanised orhuman chimeric monoclonal antibody, characterised in that:

a) it is produced in a cell line selected for its properties ofglycosylation of the Fc region of an antibody, or

b) the glycan structure of the Fc region was modified ex vivo, and/or

c) its primary sequence was modified so as to increase its interactionwith the Fc receptors;

wherein said antibody has (i) an ADCC level via CD16 (FcgammaRIIIA)above 60%, 70%, 80% or preferably above 90% compared with the sameantibody produced in a CHO line or a homologous antibody available onthe market, for the preparation of a drug intended for treatingconditions in patients with the polymorphism of the homozygousFCGR3A-158V/F or FCGR3A-158F CD16 receptor and considered“low-responders” to treatments with the antibodies currently available.

For the purposes of the invention, the term “low-responder” patientsrefers to patients with a 20% to 50% reduction in the response totreatments with therapeutic antibodies by comparison with so-called“high-responder” patients, i.e. patients with a complete responsecorresponding to the disappearance of all, measurable clinical signs andsymptoms of the disease.

For example, in the case of a study of the clearance of erythrocytes orof another cell type in the bloodstream, the term “low-responder”patients refers to patients who have a significantly longer clearance bycomparison with another group of patient's. In the treatment ofleukaemia, the following are differentiated:

the high responders with a complete response corresponding to thedisappearance of all measurable signs and symptoms of the disease, withrespect to the clinical exam and the biological laboratory data andradiographic exams. The reduction in the size of the largest tumours isgreater than 75%.

patients who respond partially are described in the article Cheson B Det al, Report of an international workshop to standardize responsecriteria for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. NCI Sponsored InternationalWorking Group. J Clin Oncol. 1999 April; 17(4): 1244. Review. Erratumin: J Clin Oncol 2000 June; 18(11): 2351.

low-responders, corresponding to patients having a so-called stablecondition, with at least 50% reduction of the tumour mass, less than 25%increase in lesions and no new lesions. This group of patients alsoincludes patients in whom no response is observed (progression ofdisease progressing to death).

Thus, for a subpopulation of so-called “low-responder” patients; inrelation to the polymorphism of amino acid 158 of CD16 (homozygousFCGR3A-158F or FCGR3A-158V/F) or another polymorphism associated withthis CD16 polymorphism, the efficacy of the treatment is better with theoptimised antibodies of the invention, and comes close to that ofso-called “high-responder” patients.

Indeed, the interaction of the receptor for the Fc of antibodies isdifferent according to the CD16 polymorphisms (aa158), as the homozygousFCGR3A-158V phenotype has a better affinity than the homozygousFCGR3A-158F and heterozygous FCGR3A-158V/F form. The antibodiesaccording to the invention have a strong interaction with CD16, whichmay explain the fact that their functional activity is not or is onlyvery slightly affected by the homozygous FCGR3A-158F or FCGR3A-158V/FCD16 polymorphism.

The invention therefore addresses a particular population of patientswith a CD16 polymorphism (homozygous FCGR3A-158F or FCGR3A-158V/F), inparticular patients in whom the treatment with the antibodies currentlyavailable has failed and/or patients suffering from adverse effectsjustifying the administration of the optimised antibody of theinvention.

The conditions treated with the antibody according to the invention arenot limited to particular conditions, but include all conditions capableof being treated with monoclonal antibodies.

In addition to the very significant improvement in the CD16-type ADCCactivity (FcγRIIIA), the antibody of the invention can be characterisedin that it induces the secretion of at least one cytokine by a type ofeffector cell of the immune system expressing the CD16 receptor morethan 50%, 100% or preferably more than 200% with respect to the sameantibody produced in a CHO line or compared with a homologous antibodyavailable on the market. The type of cytokine is selected from IL-1,IL-4, IL-12, IL-18, IL-21, IL-2, IL-3, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9,IL-10, IFNα, IFNβ, TNFα, TGFβ, IP10 and TNF, IFNγ.

In the context of the invention, we show that antibodies having a stronginteraction with CD16 have the advantage of inducing the production ofcytokines, or chemokines, in particular the production of IFNγ. The twoaforementioned characteristics complement one another. Indeed, theproduction of IFNγ or other cytokines or chemokines, by effector cells,induced by the antibodies according to the invention, can reinforce thetherapeutic effect by stimulating effector mechanisms of the immunesystem in the patients treated. The mechanism of action of such astimulation corresponds in particular to a positive autocrine regulationof the effector cells. The antibodies binding to CD16 induce a cytotoxicactivity as well as the production of IFNγ or othercytokines/chemokines, which, in the end, results in a further increasein the cytotoxic activity.

Preferably, this antibody has an ADCC level above at least 100% comparedto the same antibody produced in a CHO line or a homologous antibodyavailable on the market, and a level of production, of at least onecytokine by a type of effector cell of the immune system expressing theCD16 receptor, greater than at least 100% with respect to the sameantibody produced in a CHO line or a homologous antibody available onthe market.

The cytokines of which the release is caused by optimised antibodies areselected from interleukins, cytokines, chemokines, interferons andtumour necrosis factors (TNF).

Thus, the antibody according to the invention is capable of inducing thesecretion of at least one type of cytokine selected from IL-1, IL-4,IL-12, IL-18, IL-21, IL-2, IL-3, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10,IFNα, IFNβ, TNFα, TGFβ, IP10 and TNF, IFNγ, by the effector cells of theimmune system.

Preferably, the antibody selected has the capacity to induce thesecretion of IFNγ or other cytokines/chemokines by the effector cells ofthe immune system expressing the CD16 receptor or more specifically IL2by the CD16 Jurkat cell. The level of IFNγ or other cytokines and/orchemokines secreted expresses the capacity for interaction of the Fcregion of the antibody with CD16 and also expresses its capacity forbinding to the antigen. The secretion of IFNγ or other cytokines and/orchemokines by the cells of the immune system can increase and/or inducethe cytotoxic activity of the effector cells (NK, monocytes, macrophage,polynuclear neutrophils, etc).

The effector cells can express an endogenous CD16 possibly modulable bycytokines and/or chemokines or growth factors or be transformed. Theterm transformed cell refers to a cell genetically modified so as toexpress a receptor, in particular the CD16 receptor.

In a particular embodiment, the antibody of the invention is capable ofinducing the secretion of at least one cytokine by a leukocyte, inparticular the family of NK (Natural Killer) cells, or by cells of themyelomonocyte line (monocytes-macrophages and dendrite cell).

Preferably, for the selection of antibodies, a Jurkat line transfectedwith an expression vector encoding the CD16 receptor as the effectorcell is used. This line is particularly advantageous because it isimmortalised and is maintained in culture indefinitely. The level of IL2secreted expresses the capacity for interaction of the Fc region of theantibody with CD16 and also expresses its capacity for binding to theantigen.

Various Jurkat lines transfected with an expression vector encoding theCD16 receptor can be used as an effector cell, which lines each expressa particular CD16.

In addition, the optimised antibody can be prepared after having beenpurified and/or modified ex vivo with regard to the glycan structure ofits Fc region. To this end, any chemical, chromatographic or enzymaticmeans appropriate for modifying the glycan structure of the antibody canbe used. For example, it is possible to purify antibodies obtained fromvarious sources, to add one or more glycosyl transferase(s), inparticular a galactosyl-transferase, to a reaction mixture, and toincubate for a predetermined time until antibodies with the glycanstructure described above are obtained.

The selection can be made of antibodies produced by cells commonly usedto produce therapeutic antibodies, such as rat myeloma lines, inparticular YB2/0 and its derivatives, human lymphoblastoid cells, insectcells, murine myeloma cells, hybridomas as well as eukaryotic cells suchas, for example, yeast.

It is also possible to produce the antibodies in a genetically modifiedmammal cell line, for example genetically modified CHO, by introducingone or more sequence(s) expressing one or more glycosyl transferase(s),in particular selected from an enzyme involved in the modification ofoligosaccharide chains in position 1 of the fucose alpha bonded toposition 6 of the N-acetylglucosamine residue at the reductive end, inparticular a 1,6-fucosyltransferase, and a galactosyl-transferase. Theselection can also be applied to the evaluation of antibodies producedby transgenic plants or transgenic mammals.

Therefore, the production in CHO serves as a reference (CHO being usedin the production of drug antibodies) for comparing and selecting theproduction systems leading to the antibodies according to the invention.A comparison with polyclonal antibodies can also be useful in monoclonalantibody efficacy tests. Thus, for a subpopulation of so-called“low-responder” patients in relation to the polymorphism of amino acid158 of CD16 or another polymorphism associated with this polymorphism,the efficacy of the treatment is better with the optimised antibodies ofthe invention, and is similar to that of so-called “high-responder”patients. We show that the functional activity of the optimisedmonoclonal antibodies is related to that of therapeutic polyclonalantibodies. Thus, in some therapeutic trials, the polyclonal antibodiescan be used as controls in tests on the efficacy of monoclonalantibodies of different origins. This makes it possible to selectmonoclonal antibodies intended for the treatment of subpopulations oflow-responder patients.

Thus, in some therapeutic trials, the polyclonal antibodies can be usedas controls in tests on the efficacy of monoclonal antibodies ofdifferent origins. This makes it possible to select monoclonalantibodies intended for the treatment of subpopulations of low-responderpatients. Another alternative consists of performing a comparison withthe antibodies available on the market, in particular antibodies beingdeveloped, antibodies for which marketing authorisation has beenobtained, or antibodies for which the clinical trials were stopped, andshown to be ineffective or to produce adverse effects at the dosesadministered. Indeed, the modified antibodies of the invention are atleast 100% more effective for activating the ADCC supported by effectorcells of the immune system, which means lower administration doses thanthose used for the antibodies mentioned above, and, in this case, thepossibility of treating patients in whom the antibodies currentlyavailable have proved to be ineffective.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the antibody can, in a firststep, be selected for its capacity of interaction with the CD16receptor, then tested and selected as described above for its propertiesof inducing the production of a cytokine, in particular IL-2, by theJurkat CD16 cells or IFNγ by the effector cells expressing CD16.

Such antibodies have this dual property of inducing ADCC via the CD16and of inducing the production of IFNγ or other cytokines and/orchemokines by the cells of the immune system can increase and/or inducethe cytotoxic activity of the effector cells (in particular, NK,monocytes, macrophage, and polynuclear neutrophils).

Thus, the invention relates to the use of the antibody defined above forthe preparation of a drug intended for the treatment of conditions inpatients homozygous for phenylalanine in position 158 of CD16(FCGR3A-158F homozygotes) or patients heterozygous forvaline/phenylalanine in position 158 of CD16 (FCGR3A-158V/F).

Such antibodies according to the invention have a specificglycosylation. The antibodies according to the invention have abiantennary-type Fc domain, with short chains, low sialylation,non-intercalating terminal mannoses and GlcNAc of the attachment siteand low fucosylation.

Thus, in another embodiment of the invention relates to the use of ahumanised or human chimeric monoclonal antibody of which the glycanstructure of the Fc domain of the antibody corresponds to a biantennarytype, with short chains, low sialylation, non-intercalating terminalmannoses and GlcNAc of the attachment site, and low fucosylation for thepreparation of a drug intended for the treatment of conditions inpatients homozygous for phenylalanine in position 158 of CD16(FCGR3A-158F homozygotes) or patients heterozygous forvaline/phenylalanine in position 158 of CD16 (FCGR3A-158V/F).

Indeed, this glycan form of the Fc domain of the antibody confers on thelatter the properties of inducing a strong DCC and the production ofcytokines and/or chemokines as described above.

In this antibody, the level of intercalary GlcNac is non-zero. Forexample, compositions with a concentration over 60%, preferably over 80%for the forms G0+G1+G0F+G1F, can be used given that the concentration informs G0F+G1F is lower than 50%, preferably lower than 30% for thepreparation of a drug intended for the treatment of patients homozygousfor phenylalanine in position 158 of CD16 (FCGR3A-158F homozygotes) orpatients heterozygous for valine/phenylalanine in position 158 of CD16(FCGR3A-158V/F).

The antibodies mentioned above are preferably IgG1.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a therapeutic treatmentmethod including the administration of a humanised or human chimericmonoclonal antibody of which the glycan structure of the Fc domain ofthe antibody corresponds to a biantennary type, with short chains, lowsialylation, non-intercalating terminal mannoses and GlcNAc of theattachment site and low 2.5 fucosylation, to patients homozygous forphenylalanine in position 158 of CD16 (FCGR3A-158F homozygotes) orpatients heterozygous for valine/phenylalanine in position 158 of CD16(FCGR3A-158V/F).

The patients are advantageously homozygous for phenylalanine in position158 of CD16 (FCGR3A-158F homozygotes).

Preferably, in the patients treated, the antibodies currently availableresulted in therapeutic failure or the patients experienced adverseeffects.

The dose of the antibody administered to the patient is preferably 2times, 5 times, and preferably 10 times, 25 times, 50 times or mostpreferably 100 times lower than a dose indicated with an antibody havingthe same specificity but different glycosylation or produced in a CHOline.

The dose of the antibody administered to the patient is advantageouslybetween 2 and 5 times, between 5 and 10 times, between 5 and 25 times,between 5 and 50 times or preferably between 5 and 100 times lower thana dose of an antibody with the same specificity by differentglycosylation or produced in a CHO line.

In another embodiment of the invention, the antibody of the inventioncan be produced in rat myeloma cell lines, for example YB 2/0 (ATCC no.CRL 1662). Indeed, such cells enable a glycosylated antibody aspreviously described to be obtained. Thus, in a complementary embodimentof the invention relates to the use of a humanised or human chimericmonoclonal antibody produced in a rat myeloma line, for example YB2/0 orone of its derivatives, for the preparation of a drug intended for thetreatment of patients having the homozygous form FCGR3A-158V/F orFCGR3A-158F of CD16, in particular patients in whom treatment with theantibodies currently available has failed, or suffering from adverseeffects justifying the administration of the optimised antibody of theinvention. The invention preferably relates to the use of antibodiesproduced in rat myeloma cell lines, in particular YB2/0 and itsderivatives. Said antibodies having the dual property of inducing, viathe homozygous form FCGR3A-158V/F or FCGR3A-158F of CD16, ADCC, as wellas the production of IFNγ or other cytokines and/or chemokines by thecells of the immune system, which is capable of increasing and/orinducing the cytotoxic activity of effector cells (NK, monocytes,macrophage, polynuclear neutrophils, etc.) described as expressing theCD16 receptor, are used for the preparation of a drug intended for thetreatment of a particular population of low-responder patients orpatients in whom the treatment with the antibodies currently availablehas failed or suffering from adverse effects.

The antibody according to the invention, produced in rat myeloma lines,in particular YB2/0 or one of its derivatives, has the glycan structureof the fragment Fc as described above, the concentration in formsG0+G1+G0F+G1F and G0F+G1F as described above, and it induces acytotoxicity by ADCC and the secretion of cytokines in the way describedabove.

The antibody of the invention can be directed against a non-ubiquitousantigen present in healthy donor cells (for example, the antibody is ofanti-Rhesus human erythrocyte specificity), or an antigen of apathological cell or an pathogenic organism for humans, in particularagainst an antigen of a cancer cell or a cell infected by a virus. It isadvantageous to use the antibodies defined above for the treatment ofcancers and infections by pathogenic agents for these patients.

The conditions requiring the administration of such antibodies in thesepatients include, for example, diseases selected from haemolytic diseaseof the newborn and those escaping the immune response, in particularSezary syndrome, chronic myeloid leukaemias, chronic lymphoid leukaemias(CLL-B), solid tumours, breast cancer, conditions related to theenvironment in particular affecting people exposed to polychlorinatedbiphenyls, infectious diseases, in particular tuberculosis, chronicfatigue syndrome (CFS), parasitic infections such as, for example,schistosomas or paludism, in particular in pregnant women, and viralinfections for targeting the virus reservoir cells (HIV, HCV, HBV inparticular) and the infected cells.

The conditions treated include conditions in which the antigen is poorlyexpressed (Rhesus D antigen on erythrocytes leukaemia, chronic lymphoidleukaemia B (CLL-B), for example). “Poorly-expressed antigen” refers toa number of antigenic sites below 250,000, preferably below 100,000 or50,000 and very advantageously below 10,000 or 5,000 per target cell.

In a particular embodiment of the invention addresses patients with thehomozygous FCGR3A-158V/F or FCGR3A-158V form of CD16 and having CLL-B.As the CD20 is very poorly expressed on these tumour cells, the use ofanti-CD20 antibodies according to the invention for treating thesepatients is particularly advantageous.

The cancers concern most specifically cancers of HLA class-II positivecells, B-cell lymphomas, B-cell acute leukaemias, Burkitt's lymphoma,Hodgkin's lymphoma, myeloid leukaemias, chronic lymphoid leukaemias(CLL-B), T-cell lymphomas and leukaemias, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas andchronic myeloid leukaemias.

The antibody according to the invention can be an anti-HLA-DR antibodyor an anti-CD20.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, when the antibody is ananti-CD20, the antibody is advantageously administered at a dose below187.5 mg/kg, at 75 mg/kg, at 37.5 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, 7.5 mg/kg orpreferably below 3.75 mg/kg. The dose administered is advantageouslybetween 187.5 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg, or between 75 mg/kg and 37.5 mg/kg,between 75 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg, between 75 mg/kg and 7.5 mg/kg andpreferably between 75 mg/kg and 3.75 mg/kg or between 15 mg/kg and 3.75mg/kg.

This antibody advantageously has an ADCC level above 100% and an IL-2production level by the CD16 Jurkat cell up to 1000% greater than thatof Rituxan®.

The anti-CD20 of the invention can be produced in a rat myeloma line, inparticular YB2/0.

In addition, by way of example, the antibodies according to theinvention can be second generation antibodies corresponding to theantibodies currently available, listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Name and brand name of the antibody Company target indicationEdrecolomab Centocor anti Ep-CAM colorectal PANOREX cancer RituximabIdec anti CD20 B cell lymphoma RITUXAN Licensed to thrombocytopeniaGenentech/ purpura Hoffman la roche Trastuzumab Genentech anti HER2ovarian cancer HERCEPTIN Licensed to Hoffman la roche/ ImmunogenPalivizumab Medimmune RSV SYNAGIS Licensed to Abbott Alemtuzumab BTGLicensed anti CD52 leukaemia CAMPATH to Schering ibritumomab IDECLicensed anti CD20 NHL tiuxetan to Schering ZEVALIN Cetuximab Merck/BMS/anti HER1 cancers IMC-C225 Imclone Bevacizumab Genentech/ anti VEGFLung, colorectal, AVASTIN Hoffman la roche kidney cancers EpratuzumabImmumedics/Amgen anti CD22 cancers: non- Hodgkin's lymphoma Hu M195MabProtein Design ND cancers Labs MDX-210 Medarex/Immuno- BispecificBreast, ovarian, Designed HER2Neu/CD64 prostate cancers Molecules BEC2Imclone anti GD3 Small cell lung Mitumomab carcinoma Oregovomab Altarexanti CA125 Ovarian cancer OVAREX Ecromeximab Kyowa-Hakko anti GDmalignant KW-2971 melanoma ABX-EGF Abgenix EGF cancers MDX010 Medarex NDcancers XTL 002 XTL ND anti-viral: HCV biopharmaceuticals H11 SCFVviventia biotech ND cancers 4B5 viventia biotech anti GD2 cancers XTL001 XTL ND anti-viral: HBV biopharmaceuticals MDX-070 MEDAREX Anti-PSMAProstate cancer TNX-901 TANOX anti CD-23 IDEC-114 IDEC Protein Cnon-Hodgkin's inhibition lymphoma

Other antibodies can be selected from anti Ep-CAM, anti HER2, anti CD52,anti HER1, anti GD3, anti CAl25, anti GD, anti GD2, anti CD-23 and antiProtein C; anti-KIR3DL2, anti-EGFR, anti-CD25, anti-CD38, anti-CD30,anti-CD33, anti-CD44, inhibitor-specific anti-idiotypes, for example,coagulation factors, and anti-virals: HIV, HBV, HCV and RSV.

In a preferred embodiment the antibody is an anti-HLA-DR. This antibodyhas an ADCC level above 100% and a level of production of IL2 by theCD16 Jurkat cell, or IFNγ by an effector cell of the immune systemexpressing the CD16 receptor of up to 1000 compared with the sameantibody expressed in the CHO line, the expression line of Remitogen®.

The anti-HLA-DR of the invention can be produced in a rat myeloma line,in particular YB2/0.

The invention also relates to the use of an antibody described above forthe production of a drug intended to induce the expression of IL-1,IL-4, IL-12, IL-18, IL-21, IL-2, IL-3, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9,IL-10, IFNα, IFNβ, TNFα, TGFβ, IP10 and IFNγ by the natural effectorcells of the immune system, which drug is useful in particular in thetreatment of cancer and infections in patients in whom the antibodiescurrently available have failed, or suffering from adverse effectsjustifying the administration of the optimised antibody of theinvention, and in particular having the form V/F158 or F/F158 of CD16.

Other embodiments and advantages of the invention will be described inthe following examples, which should be considered to be illustrativeand do not limit the scope of the invention.

LEGENDS OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1: ADCC activity of the anti-Rhesus D monoclonal antibody R297(IgG1 T125 produced in YB2/0) and polyclonal antibodies WinRho in thepresence of effector cells (PBMC: Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells) ofdifferent blood donors and polyvalent immunoglobulins (Tegeline 500μg/ml).

FIG. 2: ADCC induced by anti-Rhesus D antibodies (polyclonal antibodiesWinRho, T125 produced in YB2/0 and T125 produced in CHO) on NK cells ofdonors of homozygous phenotype CD16 FCGR3A-158F.

FIG. 3: ADCC induced by anti-Rhesus D antibodies (polyclonal antibodiesWinRho, T125 produced in YB2/0 and T125 produced in CHO) on NK cells ofdonors of homozygous phenotype CD16 FCGR3A-158F.

FIG. 4: Activation of homozygous FCGR3A-158F CD16 Jurkat by theanti-Rhesus D antibodies T125 expressed in YB2/0 and CHO.

FIG. 5: Activation of homozygous FCGR3A-158V CD16 Jurkat by theanti-Rhesus D antibodies T125 expressed in YB2/0 and CHO.

FIG. 6: Activation of homozygous FCGR3A-158F CD16 Jurkat induced by theanti-HLA-DR antibodies expressed in YB2/0 and CHO.

FIG. 7: Activation of homozygous FCGR3A-158V CD16 Jurkat induced by theanti-HLA-DR antibodies expressed in YB2/0 and CHO.

EXAMPLES Example 1 ADCC Activity of the Anti-Rhesus D MonoclonalAntibody 8297 Compared with the Polyclonal Anti-D Antibodies on a Groupof 107 Blood Donors

The respective capacities of the anti-Rhesus D R 297 monoclonal antibodyand polyclonal anti-D antibodies to lyse erythrocytes in the presence ofeffector cells of different individual donors are compared (FIG. 1).

The effector cells come from a group of 107 blood donors. Themononuclear cells (PBMC) are isolated from a blood bag by centrifugationon a Ficoll gradient (Pack Plus Pharmacia). The platelets are removed bycentrifugation (190 g, 15 min) and the residual red blood cells arelysed with NH4Cl. The cells are washed and resuspended at 8×10⁷ cells/mlin IMDM. The red blood cells obtained from therapeutic concentrates(group O, Rhesus +) are treated for 10 min with papain (1 mg/ml) thenwashed three times in a saline buffer and adjusted to a concentration of4×10⁷/ml or 2×10⁷/ml (NK test) in IMDM.

The test is performed in a plate with 96 wells (NUNC). The culturesupernatants or the purified antibodies (100 μl to 200 ng/ml inIMDM+0.5% FBS), the effector cells (25 μl), the red blood cells (25 μl)and the polyvalent immunoglobulins (Tegeline, LFB) (50 μl) are incubatedfor 16 h at 37° C. in a CO2-enriched atmosphere. For the non-specificlysis, the effector cells are replaced with IMDM. After 16 h at 37° C.,the plates are centrifuged. 60 μl of supernatants are collected andmixed with 60 μl of 2.7 diaminofluorene (DAF, Sigma).

After 5 min, the OD is measured at 620 nm.

The percentage of lysis is estimated by using a calibration curveobtained with different dilutions of red blood cells lysed with NH4Cl,corresponding to 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 0% lysis, respectively.

On the basis of the genotypic study conducted on donors of the samegeographic region, the present study estimates that the averagedistribution of the 107 donors with regard to the CD16 polymorphism is27 FCGR3A-158F homozygotes, 20 FCGR3A-158V homozygotes and 60FCGR3A-158V/F.

The results show a wide variability in the capacity of the effectorcells of the different subjects to induce lysis of the positive Rhesuserythrocytes, regardless of the antibodies tested. The antibodiesexpressed in the YB2/0 cell line have a cytolytic activity comparable tothat of the polyclonal antibodies, regardless of the donor studied, andconsequently regardless of the CD16 polymorphism of the effector cellsof the donor (see FIG. 1).

Example 2 ADCC Efficacy of the Antibodies Produced in CHO and YB2/0According to the CD16 Polymorphism

The same sequence encoding a specific IgG1 of the Rhesus D antigen wastransfected into CHO and YB2/0 cell lines. The antibodies were incubatedwith positive Rhesus erythrocytes (target cells) and NK cells from 6different donors (3 FCGR3A-158V homozygotes and 3 FCGR3A-158Fhomozygotes) previously genotyped for their CD16 phenotype in position158. The NK cells are isolated using the magnetic bead separationtechnique (MACS) of Myltenyi. The NK cells are washed and resuspended at2×10⁷/ml and/or 6×10⁷/ml in IMDM. The red blood cells are adjusted to aconcentration of 2×10⁷/ml in IMDM. The Tegeline is replaced by the IMDM.Aside from these modifications, the test is identical to the ADCC testwith PBMC.

The cytotoxic activity of the antibodies on the erythrocytes (ADCC) wasevaluated (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3).

The antibody produced in the CHO line induced a lower lysis than theantibody produced in YB2/0, regardless of the donor's phenotype. TheR297 antibody expressed in the YB2/0 line induced, from the lowestconcentrations, a stronger cytolytic activity. At the maximumconcentration of 25 ng/ml, the two antibodies induced the samepercentage of ADCC.

At concentrations below 25 ng/ml, the difference in lysis between theantibody produced in CHO and that produced in YB2/0 is greater in thehomozygous FCGR3A-158F donors than in the homozygous FCGR3A-158V donors.At a concentration of 2.5 ng/ml, in the presence of homozygousFCGR3A-158V NK cells, the antibody produced by CHO induced 54% lysiswhile that produced by YB2/0 induced 89% lysis, that is, a 56% increase.By contrast, at the same concentration, in the presence of homozygousFCGR3A-158F NK cells, the antibody produced by CHO induced only 22%lysis while that produced by YB2/0 induced 74% lysis, that is a 236%increase.

The antibody expressed in the YB2/0 line therefore proved to be a betterproduct for treating the patients giving a low lysis with the antibodiesproduced in CHO. Thus, the difference in ADCC activity between theFCGR3A-158V and homozygous FCGR3A-158F patients is lower with theantibody expressed in YB2/0 (89% and 74%) by comparison with thatobserved with the antibody expressed in CHO (56% and 22%).

The optimised antibodies have a response that therefore appears to beless dependent on the polymorphic forms of the CD16.

In addition, the monoclonal antibody expressed in YB2/0 always induces alysis greater than or equal to the polyclonal antibodies.

Example 3 Comparison of the Activation of Homozygous FCGR3A-158F CD16Jurkat Cells and Homozygous FCGR3A-158F CD16 Jurkat Cells Induced byAnti-Rhesus Antibodies Produced in CHO and YB2/0 Respectively:Evaluation of IL2 Production

This test estimates the capacity of the antibodies to bind to the CD16receptor (Fc gamma RIII) expressed on the CD16 Jurkat cells and toinduce the secretion of IL2.

The same sequence encoding an IgG1 (T125) specific to the Rhesus Dantigen was transfected into the CHO and YB2/0 cell lines. Theantibodies are incubated with positive Rhesus erythrocytes (target cell)and CD16 Jurkat cells (effector cells). Two types of Jurkat cells wereused: 1—cells transfected with the gene encoding an RFc bearing theamino acid phenylalanine F in position 158 (form F), 2—cells transfectedwith the gene encoding an RFc bearing the amino acid valine V inposition 158 (form V). The amount of cytokine (IL2) secreted by the CD16Jurkat cells was measured by ELISA.

In a 96-well plate in mixture: Antibody: 50 μl of a dilution of 50;37.5; 25; 18.75; 12.5; 9.4; 6.25; 3.125 ng/ml in IMDM (Iscove's ModifiedDulbecco's) Medium 5% FBS (foetal bovine serum)

PMA 50 μl of a dilution at 40 ng/ml in IMDM 5% FBS

Red blood cells treated with papain. 50 μl at 8×10⁶/ml in IMDM 5% FBS

Jurkat CD16. 50 μl at 2×10⁶/ml in IMDM 5% FBS

Incubation 1 night at 37° C.

Then centrifugation of plates, collection of 100 μl of supernatants andassay of IL2 with the commercial kit (Quantikine of R/D). Reading at 450nm.

The antibody expressed in the YB2/0 line is capable of inducing a highersecretion of IL2, contrary to the antibody expressed in CHO, regardlessof the CD16 phenotype (FIGS. 4 and 5).

The antibody produced in CHO does not induce the secretion of IL2 fromhomozygous FCGR3A-158F CD16 Jurkat and only a very small production ofIL2 with the homozygous FCGR3A-158V form.

As one of the special features of the Rhesus system is the lowexpression of the antigen at the membrane surface, it appears that underthese conditions, the antibody expressed in the YB2/0 line is a muchbetter product for activating the effector cells with the homozygousform FCGR3A-158F of CD16 which do not appear to be capable of beingactivated with the antibody produced in CHO. As regards the homozygousform FCGR3A-158V, very small amounts of antibodies produced by YB2/0(<1.56) make it possible to induce an activation comparable to thatobtained with higher concentrations of antibodies produced in CHO (12.5ng/ml).

With the homozygous form FCGR3A-158F and at a concentration of 12.5ng/ml, the antibody produced in CHO induces a secretion of IL2 (18pg/ml) lower than 2% of that induced by the antibody produced in YB2/0(1435 μg/ml). This corresponds to an increase of more than 7000%, whenthe antibody produced in YB2/0 is used, by comparison with the antibodyproduced in CHO.

With the homozygous form FCGR3A-158V and at a concentration of 12.5ng/ml, the antibody produced in CHO induces a secretion of IL2 (869pg/ml) lower than 8% of that induced by the antibody produced in YB2/0(12312 pg/ml). This corresponds to an increase of more than 1300%, whenthe antibody produced in YB2/0 is used, by comparison with the antibodyproduced in CHO.

Example 4 Comparison of the Activation of Homozygous FCGR3A-158F CD16Jurkat Cells and Homozygous FCGR3A-158V Jurkat Cells Induced by TwoAnti-HLA-Dr Antibodies Expressed in CHO and YB2/0, Respectively:Evaluation of the Secretion of IL2.

The same sequence encoding an IgG1 specific to the HLA-DR antigen wastransfected into the CHO and YB2/0 cell lines. The antibodies areincubated with Raji cells (positive HLA-DR target cell) and CD16 Jurkatcells (effector cells). Two types of Jurkat cells were used: 1-cellstransfected with the gene encoding an RFc bearing the amino acidphenylalanine F in position 158 (form F), 2—cells transfected with thegene encoding an RFc having the amino acid valine V in position 158(form V). The quantity of cytokines (IL2) secreted by the CD16 Jurkatcells was measured by ELISA.

In 96-well plates in mixture:

Antibody: 50 μl of a dilution of 50; 37.5; 25; 18.75; 12.5; 9.4; 6.25;3.125 ng/ml in IMDM 5% FBS

PMA 50 μl of a dilution at 40 ng/ml in IMDM 5% FBS

Raji cells: 50 μl at 6×10⁵/ml in IMDM 5% FBS

Jurkat CD16. 50 μl at 20×10⁶/ml in IMDM 5% FBS Incubation 1 night at 37°C.

Then centrifugation of plates, collection of 100 μl of supernatants andassay of IL2 with the commercial kit (Quantikine of R/D). Reading at 450nm.

The antibody expressed in the YB2/0 line is capable of inducing a highersecretion of IL2, contrary to the antibody expressed in CHO, regardlessof the CD16 phenotype (FIGS. 6 and 7).

Unlike the Rhesus system on erythrocytes, the expression of the HLA-DRantigen at the membrane surface of the Raji cell is not low (200,000 to400,000 copies). Under these conditions, it appears that the antibodyexpressed in the YB2/0 line is a much better product for activating theeffector cells with the form F158 as well as V158 of CD16, and morespecifically with low antibody concentrations. Thus, the concentrationof 1.56 ng/ml, the antibody produced in CHO induces a secretion of IL2(2410 pg/ml) lower than 15% of that induced by the antibody produced inYB2/0 (16952 pg/ml). This corresponds to an increase of more than 600%when the antibody produced in YB2/0 by comparison with the antibodyproduced in CHO.

At a concentration of 12.5 ng/ml, the antibody produced in CHO induces asecretion of IL2 (14597 pg/ml) lower than 45% of that induced by theantibody produced in YB2/0 (34823 pg/ml). This corresponds to anincrease of more than 100% when the antibody produced in YB2/0 is used,by comparison with the antibody produced in CHO.

The antibody expressed in the YB2/0 line is therefore a much betterproduct for inducing the secretion of cytokines of effector cells withthe polymorphic form V158 (FCGR3A-158V homozygotes) and F158(FCGR3A-158F homozygotes).

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for treating a cancer or aninfection by a pathogenic agent, comprising: administering a compositionof antibodies to a patient in need thereof, wherein said antibodies arespecific to an antigen expressed by the cancer or infection to betreated in the patient, wherein the cancer or infection has a number ofantigenic sites below 250,000 per target cell, and wherein saidantibodies are over 60%, for the forms G0+G1+G0F+G1F, given that theforms G0F+G1F are lower than 50%, and wherein said antibodies areselected from the group consisting of anti-HLA-DR, anti-CD20, antiEp-CAM, anti HER2, anti CD52, anti HER1, anti GD3, anti CA125, anti GD,anti GD2, anti CD-23 and anti Protein C, anti-KIR3DL2, anti-EGFR,anti-CD25, anti-CD38, anti-CD30, anti-CD33, and anti-CD44.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said patient is homozygous forphenylalanine in position 158 of CD16 (FCGR3A-158F homozygotes) or saidpatient is heterozygous for valine/phenylalanine in position 158 of CD16(FCGR3A-158V/F).
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the numberof antigenic sites is below 100,000 per target cell.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 3, wherein the number of antigenic sites is below50,000 per target cell.
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein thenumber of antigenic sites is below 10,000 per target cell.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the dose of said antibody administered tothe patient is between 2 and 100 times lower than a dose of an antibodyof the same specificity but of different glycosylation or produced in aCHO line.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the dose of saidantibody administered to the patient is between 5 and 25 times lowerthan a dose of an antibody of the same specificity but of differentglycosylation or produced in a CHO line.
 8. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the antibody is directed against an antigen of a cancercell or of an organism pathogenic for humans.
 9. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the antibody is anti-HLA-DR.
 10. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the antibody is anti-CD20.